Pascua Yaqui corporation builds construction training center with federal grant
The Pascua Yaqui Development Corporation is creating good-paying jobs with a new construction training center funded by a $4 million federal grant.
Local First Arizona helped the corporation apply for the grant through its Arizona Economic Resource Center.
This Arizona coal community is finding a future in renewable energy
As the Cholla Power Plant prepares to close in northeastern Arizona, residents in nearby Joseph City are reimagining a post-coal economy.
The rural community is using federal money to explore renewable energy and other sources of jobs to preserve the hometown residents want to stay in.
Arizona Uses Federal Grants To Protect Gila County Towns From Post-Wildfire Floods
A federal grant is helping Gila County protect rural towns like Superior, Globe and Miami from the growing risk of flash floods after a trio of wildfires caused damage to the landscape.
The county will map the likely routes of post-wildfire flooding and mudslides using $250,000 from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
New Bridge to Cut Firefighter Response Times in Southern Arizona
A 40-year-old bridge in southern Arizona will soon receive a much-needed, multi-million-dollar overhaul to serve the community of Rio Rico, near the U.S.-Mexico border.
With support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the new bridge will be the largest project in Santa Cruz County and improve 911 response times for a growing rural community.
Millions Are Available for Rural and Tribal Businesses, Farmers and Ranchers to Install Solar. We Can Help
Millions of dollars in federal funding are available for rural, tribal and agricultural business owners to install solar, purchase new energy-efficient equipment and save on utility bills. Local First Arizona is now offering free help to apply for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Arizona Western College is training new workers for green jobs
Demand for workers to fill clean energy jobs is growing twice as fast as for other careers. Now a community college serving rural southern Arizona is launching programs to train and develop this new workforce with millions in federal funding.
Hopi Tribe’s emergency services will soon run 24/7 with independent solar grid
A $9 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will equip the Hopi Tribe with a solar system to allow emergency services to operate 24/7. The tribe currently depends on unreliable, polluting diesel generators to power its government complex.
Keep Arizona Beautiful participates in the Great American Cleanup in Superior
Volunteers with Local First Arizona’s Keep Arizona Beautiful campaign participated in the 2024 Great American Cleanup. They cleared 1,000 pounds of trash and 100 pounds of scrap metal from a river bed in Superior.
Click to find out how to join our next cleanup!
Cocopah Indian Tribe turns convention and entertainment center into solar-powered revenue generator
Federal funding will help finance a major solar installation on the Cocopah Indian reservation, saving the tribe millions. The solar panels will generate 90% of the energy needs for the tribe’s events and entertainment complex. Money saved will be reinvested into programs to benefit the community.
Tempe business wants to save Valley pool owners 2 billion gallons of water
FilterClean, a Local First Arizona Certified Green Business, is now offering mobile pick-up and drop-off services to reach its goal of saving Valley pool owners as much as 2 billion gallons of water each year. Here’s how.
This rural Arizona inn found a way to save $10,000 a year on energy bills
A rural Arizona inn found a way to install solar panels affordably and save $10,000 a year on energy bills with help from a federal grant and tax credits.
“One day, $32,000 appeared in our checking account, and we were like, ‘Whoa it’s time to celebrate!’” Pines Inn and Suites owner Anna May Cory said. “For us, that was quite impressive.”
The funding was made possibIe through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
How two Tempe restaurants are using the food left on your plate to grow fresh ingredients
The Tempe Compost Pilot puts locally-owned restaurants in the driver’s seat to turn food scraps into farmland.
The lengths the Green Team will go
The late afternoon sun in August was unforgiving as they dug through the waste. Once everything was finally sorted there was 70 pounds of recycling, 56 pounds of compost, and 81.5 pounds of landfill waste, for a final diversion rate of…
These businesses stand out from the crowd with Green Business Certification
Businesses are always looking to stand out from the crowd. Here’s 5 businesses that are doing just that by becoming Arizona Green Business Certified. Just how do they stand out? Setting an example with sustainable business practices.
From pounds of fabric to pallets of milk: How Tempe businesses are cutting their carbon footprint
Tempe businesses are saving money and reducing their environmental impact through Local First Arizona’s Green Business Boot Camp.
Fall for fall with Kaya Holistic goods and gifts
When Arizona’s weather turns cool, it’s time to enjoy the fresh air, spruce up at home and prepare to get cozy.
From tobacco-and-clove scented candles to elderberry immune-boosting tonics to botanical bath bombs, Kaya Holistic has all the eco-friendly, handcrafted products you need to fall for fall.
Restoring Verde Valley is Crucial For Business, Declares Region’s Green Business Bootcamp Cohort
A group of 6 businesses and community partners met on March 17th to present their sustainable projects and graduate from the first-ever Verde Valley Green Business Bootcamp Cohort!
Tempe Restaurants Help Transform Food Scraps Into Farmland
On May 31st, something transformational was cooking at Mundo Grill, a restaurant located along the light rail on Apache Boulevard in Tempe. A diverse group of 20 business owners, residents, food producers, and businesses support experts along with Tempe city staff and officials banded together to launch the Tempe Circular Economy Pilot, putting restaurants in the driver’s seat to put an end to food going into the landfill while saving on costs and regenerating Arizona’s environment & food system.
Certifiably Delightful: Tucson Frozen Yogurt Shop Goes Green
A Tucson favorite that's been serving up homemade frozen yogurt for over 25 years has gone Green by becoming Arizona Green Business Certified. Frozen Delight owners Cleo & Jose Terrazas pride themselves on opening one of the first frozen yogurt shops in Tucson, and now they are one of the first to implement innovative solutions that make the business more sustainable.